Beijing Faces Chaos as Severe Winds Lead to Flight Cancellations and Travel Disruptions

Severe winds have caused over 800 flight cancellations and transportation disruptions in Beijing as authorities issue warnings for residents to stay indoors amid fears of dangerous wind gusts.

In a dramatic turn of weather, Beijing and northern China are grappling with strong winds that have led to significant travel disruptions. As of Saturday morning, reports indicate that 838 flights were canceled at Beijing's major airports due to wind gusts reaching as high as 93mph (150kph), which is the highest recorded in the city in over 50 years. The storm, expected to persist through the weekend, has forced authorities to close numerous attractions and historical sites.

The violent winds are attributed to a cold vortex system originating from Mongolia, prompting the city to issue its first orange alert for strong winds in a decade. Residents were urged to remain indoors as state media warned that individuals weighing under 50kg might be at risk of being "easily blown away." By Friday, many in the capital began heeding these warnings, and reports from local residents confirm that the streets were unusually deserted, easing fears despite the gravity of the situation.

Transport services have also been crippled, with train operations including the airport express subway and several high-speed rail lines suspended. Parks shuttered their gates, and preventive measures were taken by reinforcing or trimming trees; however, nearly 300 have already succumbed to the winds, resulting in property damages without reported injuries.

Many travelers, such as a businessman stranded in Beijing due to flight cancellations, expressed frustration. "All flights scheduled for last night and today were canceled," he lamented, indicating he may need to rebook his travel plans in the days to come.

Meteorological forecasts predict that while the winds, classified between levels 11 and 13 on China's wind scale, are likely to lead to severe damage, conditions should begin to normalize by Sunday. Historically, spring winds that carry sand and dust from Mongolia are not uncommon, but experts note that climate change has been intensifying the severity of such storms.